Norcold fridge stock hinges versus heavy duty hinges
I keep hitting a dead end on Norcold model N821 fridge hinges. Doing a search on here just lead to more questions. A search on here turns up nothing for past year, but several posts that are over a year old. But not much help and I'm still confused. Maybe I'm not searching right? (here are the searches I did.
http://www.rv.net/forums/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/21701188/gotomsg/21705271.cfm#21705271
and http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/search/parms/sw%7B634166%7D%7Ckm%7Bexact%7D%7Ckl%7Bm%7D%7Cfm%7B%7D%7Cpd%7B366%7D%7Cma%7B%7D/sr/1.cfm
I also called Norcold (Thetford) and got the answer "their products are made to their specifications so there shouldn't be any problems". WOW that answer is sure reassuring :h
Hope somebody here has been through this and has right answer.
The couple next to us at our snowbird place stopped at a rest area and their fridge door was hanging loose and stuff was a mess all over the floor. Reason was their lower fridge hinge broke. This is on a Norcold model 821, but older than 2012. We have the same model but newer 2012 or 2013 model. The year model might matter because Norcold might of upgraded the door where the hinge attaches to, but I can't get an answer one way or the other? Or nobody knows for sure.
The couple tried various glues to fix the broken hinge without success. They ended up having to buy a new door that was well over $200.00 if I recall right. Along with the new door they also put on "heavy duty" hinge versus the stock hinges. This heavy duty hinge is supposed to be better and a lot stronger than the stock hinge.
So one of my projects, after getting back home was to put on some of these heavy duty hinges, just as a preventive measure. (I thought this will be real easy, just get a the hinge and put it on).
Some say Norcold upgraded their hinges and reinforced where the hinge bolts to with a bracket. But that is on the inside of the door panel, and not visible from the outside looking at the door. So how is somebody supposed to tell? And if Norcold really did upgrade the hinge, starting when and what year? Others say the hinge is still a weak point and put on the heavy duty hinges to be sure.
Here are my questions...How do I tell if I already have the heavy duty hinge? Maybe the old owner already put these on? Is the heavy duty model thicker or different design or what? How do I tell the difference or compare the stock hinge versus heavy duty hinge?
Do I need the heavy duty hinges at top and bottom?
Any help?...Thanks in advance.
http://www.rv.net/forums/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/21701188/gotomsg/21705271.cfm#21705271
and http://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/search/parms/sw%7B634166%7D%7Ckm%7Bexact%7D%7Ckl%7Bm%7D%7Cfm%7B%7D%7Cpd%7B366%7D%7Cma%7B%7D/sr/1.cfm
I also called Norcold (Thetford) and got the answer "their products are made to their specifications so there shouldn't be any problems". WOW that answer is sure reassuring :h
Hope somebody here has been through this and has right answer.
The couple next to us at our snowbird place stopped at a rest area and their fridge door was hanging loose and stuff was a mess all over the floor. Reason was their lower fridge hinge broke. This is on a Norcold model 821, but older than 2012. We have the same model but newer 2012 or 2013 model. The year model might matter because Norcold might of upgraded the door where the hinge attaches to, but I can't get an answer one way or the other? Or nobody knows for sure.
The couple tried various glues to fix the broken hinge without success. They ended up having to buy a new door that was well over $200.00 if I recall right. Along with the new door they also put on "heavy duty" hinge versus the stock hinges. This heavy duty hinge is supposed to be better and a lot stronger than the stock hinge.
So one of my projects, after getting back home was to put on some of these heavy duty hinges, just as a preventive measure. (I thought this will be real easy, just get a the hinge and put it on).
Some say Norcold upgraded their hinges and reinforced where the hinge bolts to with a bracket. But that is on the inside of the door panel, and not visible from the outside looking at the door. So how is somebody supposed to tell? And if Norcold really did upgrade the hinge, starting when and what year? Others say the hinge is still a weak point and put on the heavy duty hinges to be sure.
Here are my questions...How do I tell if I already have the heavy duty hinge? Maybe the old owner already put these on? Is the heavy duty model thicker or different design or what? How do I tell the difference or compare the stock hinge versus heavy duty hinge?
Do I need the heavy duty hinges at top and bottom?
Any help?...Thanks in advance.
